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Could Maguire’s absence halt England's charge?
As the Euros get under way, we look at the effect Harry Maguire’s absence could have on the England team, and betting markets to go with it
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The European Championship begins tonight, and there is plenty of value to be had across the betting markets for the 2024 tournament.
Here we consider Harry Maguire’s absence from the England squad and the effect that could have on the Three Lions’ back four for England on Sunday, and in the latter stages of the competition.
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Missing the action
Defender Maguire is absent from Gareth Southgate’s squad for Germany because of injury, and this has caused a major concern for the English.
The Manchester United centre back has always been a stalwart for the Southgate set-up and in the team of the tournament for the previous two major competitions.
His absence will mean that another new partner will come in alongside John Stones, and it is uncertain who that will be and whether it will have a negative impact on the Three Lions squad.
Maguire’s leadership values can also be considered important for England. With the centre back missing, it certainly makes the defence weaker.
Struggles with Mitrovic
There are plenty of players that could come in to partner Stones, including Marc Guehi, Lewis Dunk and Ezri Konsa.
It is likely that Southgate will opt for Crystal Palace centre back Marc Guehi. But in England’s first match against Serbia, at 8pm on Sunday, that could be deemed a risk because of the opposition striker.
Aleksandar Mitrovic is a handful and Premier League defenders will know all about him after his time at Fulham and Newcastle United.
His physicality and strength are a match for anyone and he has shown time and time again that he can score against even the best defenders in the world.
The question remains whether Southgate may look to someone more physical than Guehi, such as Dunk, or whether he opts to focus on his team’s own strengths.
Serbia are likely to play to Mitrovic’s strengths in the air and it is certainly a worry that Southgate needs to think about, with the forward good value to get on the scoresheet.
Selection: Aleksandar Mitrovic to score anytime @ 4/1 with bet365
Defensive problems
Set pieces could be England’s downfall in the European Championship. With Maguire missing, there is a serious lack of height in the back line, as well as out-and-out physicality to win the ball.
Corners and free kicks in dangerous areas are going to be targeted by the opposition and Serbia’s Dusan Vlahovic, Nikola Milenkovic and Strahinja Pavlovic can all cause problems.
The back line looked like it lacked organisation in the recent friendly match against Iceland and Luke Shaw’s injury also has not helped the Three Lions.
England have kept just one clean sheet in their past five matches, and have struggled against better opposition, drawing 2-2 with Belgium and losing 1-0 to Brazil.
We are expecting a difficult time for the defence and goals could be on the cards for a lot of Three Lions fixtures.
Selection: Over 2.5 goals @ 10/11 with bet365
Odds are correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
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